TO:  LOCAL NEWS MEDIA  

FROM:  VAN WERT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT  

DATE:   Wednesday, January 09, 2008 

Re:  Criminal Hearings

Two individuals were sentenced Wednesday morning when appearing before Judge Charles D. Steele in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Renee S. Watkins, 28, Middlepoint, Ohio was placed on three years of community control on a Theft charge which was a felony of the fifth degree.

According to a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Watkins allegedly stole money from a former employer.  Watkins has already made restitution in the amount of $7350 and has agreed to make an additional $2000 restitution

Watkins will be on three years of community control, will spend 30 days in the Van Wert County Jail at a time to be determined by her supervision officer, perform 200 hours of community service and pay court costs.   Judge Steele also gave her a six month prison sentence with the imposition of the sentence deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.  

Joshua P. Van Metre, 21, Van Wert, Ohio was placed on three years of community control on a charge of Burglary and Complicity To Commit Deception To Obtain A Dangerous Drug.

According to a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Van Metre allegedly entered an unoccupied Van Wert home at which time a number of items were taken.  Van Metre then later took part in an attempt to obtain a dangerous drug that had earlier been prescribed for the occupant of the home.  

Van Metre will be on community control for a period of three years of which two years will be under intensive supervision by the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department. 

Van Metre will also be placed on 60 days of electronic monitored house arrest, must serve and additional 30 days in the Van Wert County Jail at a time to be determined by his supervision officer, must perform 200 hours of community service.   Judge Steele also gave him two nine month prison sentences to run concurrently with the imposition of the prison terms deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.

PROBATION VIOLATION HEARINGS

Kelly McKenzie, 42, Van Wert, Ohio admitted to violating the terms of her community control program by having been arrested for shoplifting and possessing marijuana.   McKenzie had previously been on community control for drug charges.

Mckenzie was sentenced to prison for eleven months on the violation given credit for time already served. 

Christopher McMillen, 20, Van Wert, Ohio admitted to violating the terms of his community control program by having used drugs and consumed alcohol.  McMillen was resentenced to three years of community control, placed in the Van Wert County Jail for a period of 60 days and must complete the drug rehabilitation program he is presently involved in.